Climate Change, Sustainability Topic of Science Café Feb. 11 at NMHU

New Mexico Highlands University presents “Climate Changes, Sustainability and Other Gray Areas” in a free science café Feb. 11, 5 p.m., in the Margaret Kennedy Alumni Hall, 905 University.
 

The university’s chapter of Sigma Xi, a scientific research society, is sponsoring the science café. Light refreshments will be served. 
 

Highlands University chemistry professor David Sammeth will be presenting at the science café.
 

Sammeth participated in an intensive two-week program to study global sustainability in July 2009 at the prestigious Santa Fe Institute. Experts from around the world participated, and Sammeth will include some ideas from the program in his presentation.
 

“I’ll talk about the science behind climate change but more importantly, what policy, economics and alternative resources have to contribute to this challenge,” Sammeth said.

Sammeth added that scientific inquiry generates information, not answers.
 

Science cafes are a growing national trend.
 

“A science café is a way to help the public connect with science, and the concept is to have a dialogue between scientists and the people who attend,” said Lisa Bentson, a biology researcher at the university who established the first science cafes at Highlands. She is also a Sigma Xi member.
 

Bentson said that Sigma Xi works to promote the public’s understanding of science for the purpose of improving the human condition. In addition, Sigma Xi promotes integrity in scientific research.
 

The university’s Sigma Xi chapter has approximately 30 active members, and is comprised of both faculty and students.